The Sun. — London, England, 1838-02-24 00:00:00

PRIVATE BUSINESS OF PARLIA MENT.-(YESTERDAY.) SUB.COMMITTEEILLS. ON PETITIONS FOR PRIVATE B (No. I.) MR. SHAW LEIEVRE IN THE CHAIR. HELSINGTON (WESTMORLAND) INCLOSLTRE. Petition read—notices proved—unopposed—Standing Or ders complied with. SOUTH HOLLAND (LINCOLNSHIRE) DRAINAGE. Petition read—notices proved—unopposed—Standing Or ders complied with. BARNSLEY SMALL DEBTS. Petition read—notices proved—unopposed—Standing Or ders complied with. BUCKSTONE AND ELLAND BRIDGE ROAD. For increasing th e tolls—petition lead—notices proved unopposed—Standing Orders complied with. BRANIPTON, BIELBY. AND HOOTON ROBERTS ROAD. For increasing the tolls Wiidext:n(ling the powers—notices pros ed—unopposed—Standing Orders complied ilia]. IRISH RAILWAY BILL. The Parliamentary Agent said that this was an application to suspend one of the Standing Orders. The petition prayed for the enlargement of time to present petition for Bill.— Leave granted. GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY, For making a Branch Railway, and extending the powers. Petition read—opposing petition read. Objection taken, that the petitioners who opposed had no property or i:lterest in the Railway, or the lands connected with it ; and that the word " parties" in the Standing Orders, meant parties who had interests in the matter, and not anybody in the world. The Chairman ov e rr u l e d thi s o bj ec ti o n, by saying that the House intended any person to be heard—a New Zealander if be had any thing to say on the subject. On the notices an objection was taken, that they did not specify the Acts of Parliament intended to be amended. Answer, that the Grand Junction Railway is in existence. People are constantly going upon it. The Acts are well known, and being public Acts, need not be specified—no person can be deceived. The Committee decided that the Standing Orders had not been complied with, inasmuch as the titles of those Acts were not inserted in the notice. The neat question raised was, whether notices published in February and March under the Standing Orders of 1836 were sufficient. The Committee decided that they were, and that the Orders of 1837 should not have an ex post facto operation. The next objections taken were to the plans and sections. Objections as to the enlarged plan were, that various build ings and curtilages, within the distance of 100 yards from the intended line of Railway, were not inserted. Objectiona over ruled. Objection made as to the Pvel of the lino by the river Mer sey being taken " equal to the level of low water mark at sea." Objection (on examination of engineer) overruled. The next objections were made as to the book of reference. It appeared that in the Book of reference for March, the name of General Heron was inserted for that of Sir Richard Brooke. After considerable discussion this and several other objections of the like nature were overruled by the Committee. On the question of application having been made to all the parties on the line, some objections made, but disallowed. On the question as to value of the revenue of the railroad, it was stated that the property of the railroad was worth 1,040,000[., and that they had borrowed 520,0001., secured upon such capital, and the anticipation of future capital. The gross revenue was proved to 232,0001. and upwards ; the expenses about 116,0001., leaving a surplus of 118,000/. It was contended by the parties in opposition to the Bill that the Company had no power to borrow more money, having already borrowed more than they can repay. Also that the Company were bound to distribute their surplus, if any, amongst the shareholders, instead of applying it, as was intended, to the extension of the Railroad.—( Room cleared. ) The Committee decided in favour of the application for the Railroad extension.—To be reported. ELECTION COMMITTEES. (Continued from our First Edition of yesterday.) IPSWICH. It was objected that the n'tice of objection was not valid, it having been served on the voter's brother, not upon himself. The Committee ordered the room to be cleared, and on the re admission of the public, decided that the notice was not valid, and that the objection to the votecould not be gone into. The Committee adjourned about Half-past Three. Mr. WARBURTON had a petition to present which situ rather of a different nature from that of two o:hcr petitions on the subject of the Brighton Railway, one from Mr. Mills and the other from Mr. Cooke. The allegation made by Mr. Mills was that in the Bill passed by Parliament in the last Session, in the preamble the subscribers were described as having given their consent to the passing of the Bill, whilst ho and Mr. Cooke stated that the Bill was passed without they or any of the subscribers having given their consent. The other petition, from Mr. Charles Pearson, the agent employed for the prosecution of the Bill in 1833, stated the circumstances under which this preamble was allowed to pass. He stated that a sort of treaty was going onbetween two parties as to how many shares they should receive for giving their consent. The subscribers to Cundy's line asked: for 2,600 shares, and the four Companies agreed to give 2,000, which was the number actually inserted in thelßill. Mr. Pearson stated that some of the members of Cundy's Company, being dissatisfied with having 2,000 shares, in stead of 2,600, under the advice of the petitioner did not in anv way intermeddle with their arrangements, in order that if the Bill passed the Legislature the Company might have HOUSE OF L TMDS, FEB. 23. the benefit of the 9 000 shares ; and if it were lost, that the The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Woolsack at Company might have the right of opposing it in the follow- Twelve o'Clock. ing Session, or might exact from the United Company the Mr. WALLACE and others brought up a message f rom t h e number of shares that they were entitled to receive. That being House of Commons, requesting that leave m i g h t b e granted the view of the parties, Mr. Pearson went into the House, and examined the contents of the Bill. He was to the Earl of Lichfield to be examin e d b e f ore a S e l ect Com mittee of the House of Commons on th e ra t e o f p ostage , and therefore aware of what the Bill contained. The London and especially to be examined into a ch ange o f p os t age proposed Provincial Committee met on the 29th of June, and it was by Mr. Rowland Hill. discussed how the Directors of the Company ought to act in Upon the motion of the Earl of SHAFTE SBURY, the the matter, and it was directed that a Resolution should be messengers were recalled, and informed that th e ir Lordships drawn up, embodying the opinion of the Meeting. M b r e . Pearson gave his opinion in the most decided manner t, iat t would return an answer by a mes sen e er o f th e i r own H ouse . Bill would succeed, backed as it was by the four Companies, Upon the motion of Earl SHAFTESBURY, the Ex- and he recommended the Directors to remain quiescent, and chequer Bills' Bill, the Extent in Aids' Bill, and the Water- merely to watch the progress of the Bill. If it eventually ford House of Industry Bill, were read a third time and passed. passed, they should call the Shareholders together, and lay The Marquis of LANSDOWNE, at the request of her Ma- before them the state of affairs. Mr. Pearson further stated, jetty, laid on the table certain annual reports respecting the that lie had seen the Bill and the Company named to the state at present of the country. Lord BROUGHAM pr esen t e d a pet i t i on f rom Leek, in extent of two thousand shares, and that when it was formed they would be hound by their original agreement. It appeared the county of' Stafford ; and a l so a pet i t i on f rom Tredgar, Bill which stated them to be consenting parties. True no in the county of Monm ou th, a d opte d at a pu b l i c meeting nl clearly from that, that the Provisional Committee of the Co pany were fully aware of the preamble, and the clause in the held in the Town-hall on th e 9 t h J anuary l ast, pray ing for the cessation of negro sl aver y ; a l so a petition front consent was really given, but they allowed the Bill to pass Perth and its neighbourhood, setting forth very strong rea- without opposition ; and he did not think, however irregular ions against any additional endowment whatever being • it might have been to insert a consent without that for consent being granted to the Scotch Church. Th e petition was s i g n e d given, that it was now competent for them to come by six clergymen end other most respectable persons. VOTE BY BALLOT. ward and contend against the regularity of the passing of that Lord MELBOURNE had a petition to p resen t, w hi c h, as Bill. Under these cir cums t ance s, h e w ould merely move that the petition be laid up on th e t a ble. it related to a s u bj ec t of g r eat p u bli c i n t eres t, exc i te d great Lord GEORGE LENNOX, as Chairman of the Corn public feeling, and upon which proceedings had been taken mittee, begged to say a few words. As Mr. Mills had got a in the other House of Parliament, and many observe- petition printed and circulated, stating that the Bill had lions made in their Lordships House, he wished to passed, either through negligence or fraud, or other similar call the attention of the House to it for a few minutes. means, he would not be doing his duty to that Committee if The petition was from the town of Meath, in the county of he did not state that he believed firmly there was not one word Glamorgan, and prayed for vote by Ballot. The petition had of truth in Mr. Mills' petition, from the first line down to the been sent to him in a letter from a gentleman of great respec- last word.-_(A laugh.) He was corroborated in that state lability in that part of the country, who stated that those ment by the Hon. Member for Bridport, who had ROW pre_ who bad signed the petition were all formerly strongly tented a petition from the Parliamentary Agent and Solicitor opposed to the vote by Ballot ; but that they had of the Company, denying every word in Mr. Mills' petition. now been converted to the expediency of it by the proceedings The Noble Lord after reading some letters from Mr. Charl ei which had taken place at late elections in that town, He Pearson, from which it appeared he had a knowledge of all ( Lord M.) certainly saw with great regret that ehich that was going on, stated that he thought it wns rather hard had been observed in their Lordships' House, namely, that Mr. Mills sh ou ld b e p e titi on i ng over an d over again, the progress of this desire for the Ballot in p u bli c opinion, making alleg a ti o n s w hi c h hi s own Company deni e d. which it was impossible to deny.—( H ear , h ear.) supported the statem en t s t h at h a d , , This gentleman stated that it arose very mu c h f rom t h e f act of Sir A. DALRYMPLE been made by the Noble Lord. intimidation, and from the fact that the p ower o f stat i on and Sir J. STRICKLAND thought Mr. Mills was a most ill life of one man over another had recently been exercised in used individual. His Bill had been thrown out last a more reckless and unscrupulous manner than it ever had, Session upon some teehnicalties, and he trusted the House and that, much more by one political party than another. Whether this was the fact or not h e did snot k now. Whether therefore, would eventually d o hi m j ust i ce , b y g i v i ng hi m an this influence had been excited by one po li t i ca l patty more opportunity of having hi s case investigated. Tho subject then dropp e d. than anothe,' he did not pr es u me to g i ve an op i n i on ; of his own knowledge he knew nothing a b out it ; but if one half CORN LAWS. if one third, Mr. VILLIERS presented a petition from the anti-Corn if one teeth of what he (Lord MeDsourne) hoard was true, he law aesociation of Scotland, agreed to at a meeting held certainly could not at all wonder at the feeling that prevailed at Glasgow, praying for a revision of the Corn-laws. on the subject, and that persons should be inclined to have Sir R. FERGUSSON presented a petition from the recourse almost to any remedy which might tend to so much Provost and Town Council of a Town in Scotland, against the inconvenience as that which they were now subject to. Corn-laws. At the same time he could not but express his strong Mr. M. PHILIPS p resente d a pet i tion with a similar hope that the p u bli c wou ld not b e led away upon the prayer from the Ch am b er o f C ommerce i n Manchester. The subject by any i mme di ate pressure. He could not, how- ever, but stat e hi s d ec id e d op i n i on, that if all that had petitioners were opp ose d t o a ll monopo li es whether agricultu ral or comme rc i a l. H e cor di a ll y concurred i n the prayer of been said w as t rue , t h e measure unquestionably ought not to be ad o pt e d. I t was not h i s intention to introdue the petition.e Mr. BR OT C HE H RTON supported the p rayer o f t h e pet i t i on. a:debate up-, i n the present occasion ; b u t h e must say w i t h re spect to, tiro CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. e measure that he did not b e li eve t h at any mind Mr. GILL ON presented a petiti on f rom th e C entra l Board was so acute as to f orges even i n this country what the conga- of Dissenters in Scotland—a body w hi c h re p resente d not less que,nce o f t h e a d opt i on o f i t m i g h t b e. The application of it to than 600 congregations, and a p o p u l a ti on o f not l ess than foreign countries he held to b e no cr it er i on f or its adoption in this, half a million. They stated that their opinion was that it was The very uncertainty of the measure alarmed him, and pre- the duty of all Christians to promote the interests of religion vented him from adopting it. He did not believe that to the utmost of their power, but they considered that a Church it would be an efficacious remedy for the e v il s it was in connection with the State had a contrar effect. Thee y intended to cure, and h e b e li eve d it wou ld b e at- y protested against any additional grant being ma d e to t h e! tended with greater incon ven i ences an d ev il s t h an those establishment as flagrantly unjust to the Dissenters, and that that did at present exist, even if they prevailed to the they damp in plac e o f p romot i ng t h e true i nterests o f rel i g i on. extent allowed. Agreeably to th e reques t ma d e to hi m h e had The Hon. Member a l so p resen t e d pet i t i ons on t h e same sub presented the petition, b u t it w as b u t j us ti ce to t h e pet i t i oners to state that he could give no approb a ti on t o i ts prayer , jest fron t diff erent p l aces i n Avrehire, from Falkirk, A uc ht er - Lord BROUGHAM would follow the example of the muchty, and from the Political Union, and other inhabitants of Whitburne. Also a petition front the latter place, praying Noble Viscount ix not introducing a debate upon the present for a repeal of the Poor-law, , T u ß nd E er N occasion ; but - he thought it but fair, considering that the sub ject had occupied so much of the public attention latterly, that t C he Hg- LIGHTING AND I ,7a E w N . TILATING THE HOUSE, he should say a few words upon it, to endeavour, if possible, nex S t ir br F in . considerationa v e notice otfh the h he House should a proposalon :Nl on d f a o y r its better ventilation and lighting, which could be effected in twenty-four hours at a triflinF.elpense. to set right one of the arguments which had been misrepresented by the Noble Viscount. He had said that it was unsafe to argue without the greatest deliberation, and the he would tell most accurate and anxious comparison—( Ilear, hear)--Honourable Members in one moment what it If it were convenient In the first waa he intended to place, P r aose.—(Cries of Hear, and Go on.") that because the adoption of any measure in a foriegn which passed throe,- (.41 tphreoposed that the columns of air country had succeeded, that, therefore, it would succeed a ove n a way va t s h t at cy w l o in u d ld er below, throwing Members shcr e ld be stopped , in this. He (Lord B. thought that it was not only unsafe, dust into the b keeie,' eyes mouths, and nostrils of Hon. but grossly illogical to argue that because Ballot had sue sibility of Members' headsbeingn d e : a a n ff d ec t t h e a d t b o y pe it n , n b g ec s a s u h se ou h ld e needed in ore country that therefore it would succeed in ano- be made ther, reeposed to have ape p rt o u s r e es th m at a prevent the pos- Theteheth would slope upwards. Duke of WELLINGTON considered that the state ments made by the Noble Viscount were too highly charged, pie should further pro and that his correspondent had too highly charged ther chandeliers lle would be ele vated, and from the fanlight ( b w e o m u r l d e 1 i t s s t u o ea preventvast bodyits annoyingo of light, u t N ,e witheyes a of Members. The reflections which he had cast upon his opponents. He, reporters' gallery . ) (the Duke of Wellington) firmly believed that the cons e _ , •gree n silk curtain quences of the transactions which had taken place dp. e i ng the last few years had been to render the poscer %al or . la;:t plan•—(Hear, hear.) He might mention that he had , expense of the whole would not be more than half that of the - YOUGHAL. The Committee met at three o'clock, Colonel LYGON in the Chair. Mr. Pollock and Mr. Thessiger appeared for the peti• tioner (Mr. Nicholls); and Messrs. Harrison, Austin, and Close for the sitting Member (Mr. Howard). The petition having been read, and the lists exchanged, the Committee adjourned to one o'clock to-morrow. BELFAST. The votes of Andrew Mills and John Robh, objected to on the former ground, namely, insufficiency of value, were struck off by the Committee. The vote of David Suffern, similarly objected to, was allowed. The vote of John Dobie was under consideration, when it was announced that the Speaker was at prayers ; and the Committee adjourned without coming to a decision. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. Folitical power by individuals, in almost all parts of the country, infinitely more desirable than it had been here tofore. Both Corporations and individuals had acquired very great influence, and there was no doubt whatever that all that influence was exerted for exercising and acquir ing political power. That was a fact which passed under the view of all, and could nct be denied. He did not impute anything to the Noble Viscount or to any other perscn, with respect to official influence, and influence of every other descrip tion. Within the last seven years, we had gone back full a cen tury. Upon his honour, things were not in such a state as they were in his time, not even as they were ten years ago. The Noble Lord said Noble Lords and Gentlemen of property exercised their influence over their tenants in an improper manner. He would pledge his word to the House that he knew of no such thing. He 'mad heard a great deal of other influence.—( Hear, hear.) He had seen a great deal of evidence which plainly showed that priestly influence —that the exercise of intimidation—and that riots had been got up almost every where in a ncighbouriug country ; but as t) an improper influence being exercised by men of pro t.ertv, he knew of no such thing—( Cries of " Hear, hear") —an 1, so far as his influence we nt, be would b‘sg that it might never be used. He would be exceedingly sorry to see the practices of other countries introduced into this country— ho would be exceedingly concerned to find that instead of men coming forward openly and avowing their opinions, that they came in a sneaking manner, and gave their elective franchise under a secret mode of voting. Happily the Constitution of this country had been formed, not only for the protection of individual liberty and life, but also for the protection of pro perty. Their Lordships were called upon to provide for the protection of property and for the security of the Church, as well as for the security of liberty and life.' Lord BR OUG HAM bad always been of opinion that the Ballot would afford but little protection to the voter in the country, but in the towns great and undue influence was exer cised by the customers over shopkeepers, and the Ballot there was wanted. What would the Noble Duke think of a case such as the following ? In a certain great city, not far from where their Lordships wore sitting, a cer tain poor but worthy tradesmen at the last election, had no less than IG written applications from different customers all insisting on his voting one particular way, and threatening him with the loss of their custom if he did not do so—that man bad strong conscientious scruples with respect to the Ecclesi astical Establishment, so that he was either compelled to sin by voting against his conscience, or starve by losing the cus ' tomeis upon whom he depended. In such cases it was that the Ballot was essentially necessary. Lord MELBOURNE said an impression undoubtedly pre vailed that there had been great undue influence at the late election, and that it had been exercised to the greatest extent upon the other side. The Duke of WELLINGTON made a few observation' in explanation, which were inaudible in the gallery. EDUCATION. The Bishop of SALISBURY presented a petition from the clergy of his diocese, praying that Parliament would sanc tion no system of education but one founded on the principles of the Established Church. CUSTODY OF INSANE PERSONS BILL. On the notion of Lord RE DE SDA L E this Bill went into Committee. The House resumed. The Bill was reported with amendments, and The House adjourned till Monday. HOUSE OF COMMONS, Fin. 23. The SPSAKER took the Chair at the usual hour. NEW MEMBER. Mr. PIGOT took the oaths and his seat for Bridgenorth. TYNEMOUTH. Lord CLIVE reported from the Tynemouth Election Com mittee that Sir C. GREY was duly elected for that borough ; and that neither the petition nor the opposition thereto was frivolous or vexatious. Also that seventeen persons had been struck off the poll, as having had no right to vote. LONDON AND CROYDON RAILWAY AMEND MENT BILL. • On the motion of Captain ALSAGER, this Bill was read a first time. SALMON FISHERIES (IRELAND) BILL. Colonel CONOLLY brought in the Salmon Fisheries (Ireland) Bill, which was read a first and second time, and ordered to be committed on the 15th March. ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL BILL. On the motion of Mr. SHAW LEFEVRE this Bill was read a first time. BRIGHTON RAILWAY. THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1838. ; consulted with Dr. Arnott and other gentlemen, who had been before consulted upon the subject. The Hon. and Gal , lint Member then gave notice, that on Monday, March 5, he would Lring under the consideration of the Howe a proposed al!eration in the position of the new Houses of Parliament, which, without materially deranging the general plan, would much contribute to the convenience of Members of both Houses.—( Hear, hear.) [Mr. O'Connell here entered the House, it being about twenty-five minutes to Five.] IRISH POOR-LAWS. Sir R. BATESON presented several petitions from Lon donderry, against the Irish Poor-law before the House ; ob jecting to taking the power of taxation out of the rate-layers' bands, and to the Unions being larger than parochial. NEGRO SLAVERY. An HON. MP.unart presented two petitions, one from Kes wick, and one from another place in Westmoreland, for the abolition of Negro Slavery. Sir G. DE LACY EVANS gave notice of a motion for the 6th of March, the purport of which we could not catch, owing to the low tone in which the Hon. and Gallant Member spoke; but it was understood to relate to the part which he had taken in the late war in Spain. NEGRO APPRENTICESHIPS. Petitions for abolishing Negro Apprenticeship were pre sented by Lord Lowther, from die City of York ; by Mr. Sanford, from several parishes in Somersetshire; by Mr. D.en nistoun, from Glasgow ; and by another Hon. Member from Northampton. POOR LAWS (IRELAND.) Mr. LITTON presented a petition from Dublin, signed by upwards of 240 persons, protesting against the limited powers given to the Commissioners under the proposed Poor Law Act for Ireland, especially as regarded taxation—the appointment of officers and the amount of salary to be given to them. TRADES UNIONS. Mr. D ENN ISTO U N presented a petition from Glasgow praying far an inquiry into the systemof Trades Unions. Mr. CRESS WELL presented a petition from Liverpool, praying for the abolition of imprisonment for debt. Mr. HANDLEY presented a petition from some place in Lincolnshire, it was understood, against the Municipal Boun daries Bill. Mr. BETHEL L presented a petition from Duffield and the vicinity, numerously signed, praying fur an abolition of the system of negro apprenticeship. Mr. WAKLEY presented &petition from the medical prac titioners of fourteen towns in East Kent, complaining that the residence of the medical officer was frequently nine miles distant from the paupers whom he had to attend, and stating that proper assistance might be procured much nearer—that, in consequence of this arrangement, the poor were subjected to long suffering, and in some cases to the loss of life—and that some statements respecting the attendance on the paupers, in the Second Report of the Poor-law Commissioners, was untrue. The Honourable Member also presented a peti tion from the working carpenters of Dublin, denying, in the most positive terms, that they had entered into any combination to inflict violence on personal property. They stated, also, that their combination was really to protect themselves against the capitalists, who wished to press unduly on the rate of wages, and that their object was to provide for the distress of the fatherless and widow, and all who were incapacitated to work at their trade. They prayed to be heard before the Committee, and stated that they were prepared to prove the truth of the allegations in the petition. A letter had been also formerly written by the Secretary of the Association, complaining of some reports witieh had appeared in the public papers respecting some state ments which had been made in a certain place (he must not say that House), that the master was not allowed to make a free choice of his workmen, but was compelled to take the first in the list. They denied that statement, and also another statement, that a master had been compelled to turn out two orphan children whom he had taken in as apprentices. Mr. O'CONNELL said the statement he had made rela tive to taking workmen from the books, did not refer to car penters but to other trades. The statement with respect to the two children had been publicly made by a master in Dublin and had never beea contradicted, although it was now attempted to be so behind his back. STEAM NAVIGATION. Mr. NI AC K INNON presented a petition from Mr. Samuel Hall, an engineer, on the subject of Steam Navigation, of which the following is a copy : " To the Honourable the Commons of the United King dom of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled— " The humble petition of Samuel Hall, of Basford, in the county of Nottingham, and of King's Arms-yard, in the city of London, civil engineer, " Shcweth— " That your petitioner bath invented important improve ments on the steam-engine, which, in the opinion of many competent judges, will form a new era in the history of that stupendous machine, especially as it relates to its application to steam navigation, and still more particularly in vessels per forming long and stormy voyages. " That your Petitioner's improved engines have been in con stant operation on beard the following vessels, and in some of them for periods ♦arying from two to four years, whereby the perfect operation of every part of the machinery has been most fully tested, and the great durability of the new appa ratus, as well as the increased durability of the boilers and other parts common to all engines, have been ascertained Vessel belonging to her Majesty's Navy—The Nlagoara, with a pair of Engines of 140 horse power. Vessels belonging to the St. George Steam Packet Company. Horsepower. Horse power. The Prince Llewelyn.., 70 The Vulture ............. 250 The Hercules Thu Sea Horse 250 The Sirius ...............300 The Jul° 250 I Vessel belonging to the Waterford Commercial Steam Navi gation Company.—The Kilkenny, with a pair of Engines of 300 horse power. Vessel belonging to the Humber Union Steam Company.— The Wilberforce, with a pair of Engines of 300 horse power. Vessel belonging to James Winder, Esq.—The Windermere, with a pair of Engines of 70 horse power. Vessel belonging to Messrs. Boardman, Harmer, Briggs, and and others—The Albatros, with a pair of engines of 70 horse power. " That in consequence of the extremely numerous attempts which have been made to effect improvements on the steam engine since those of Mr. Watt, which attempts have failed to produce the advantages held out, great distrust has arisen in the public mind as to the possibility of any further real im provement ever being made upon the common injection en gine ; and that, in consequence of this distrust, it is not only difficult, but almost impossible, t o ge t the merits of a rea ll y valuable improvement on th e steam-engine feirly investigated. " That your petitioner has b ee n informed, and believes, that the Hercules was on th e 29 t h o f N ov ., 1536, similar l y si tuated (in a violent storm) t o th e Kill arn ey, which wa s los t on the 26th January last, and that the Commander, the Mate, and th e Engineers of the Hercules entertain a confident opinion that had her engines been common injection engines, instead of engines with your petitioner's improvements, the vessel would inevitably have been lost. The AThatros steam• packet encountered an equally dangerous storm on that me morable day, and the Commander and Engineer declare their o t enion to be, that the vessel was saved entirely by the supe rior power and quickness of operation of your petitioners im proved engines over injection engines. "That your petitioner has every reason to believe that it was to the reduced power, and consequent inefficiency peculiar to, and unavoidable in, injection engines during violent gales, that the Killarney was unable to make head against the heav y seas with which she had to contend ; this, therefore, if such were the fact, was the primary cause (although followed by others) which led to her destruction. " That the improved engines of your pet itioner are mush less liable than injection engines to explosions or other serious accidents which arise fro m th e diffi cu l t y o f giving an accurate supply of injection water, and of water to the boilers of the last mentioned engines, those operations being . of necessity left to the mercy of th e engineers ; whereas, in y our peti tioners improved engine s those important duties are entirel y superseded, and thereby great additional safety is insured. " Your Petitioner, from his perfect knowledge of, and con fidence in, the important advantages of his improved steam En gines, and the perfection to which they are brought, prays for a full iavestigatien of them by your Hon. House and of the correctness of kis present statements, as well as of many other advantages not mentioned herein, which his improved Engines possess over common Engines. "'And your petitioner also prays that such investigation may not be limited to the examination of theoretical gentlemen only, however talented they may be ; but that the examina tionh may be extended to practical and scientific engineers, and e baesfor welle m a n s t t t o o n ed, the particularlycommanders to the operative engineers, who have had the m anagem ent of t h o o f a e the of severalhis sengines,erei n the Hercules and Albatros, on board of which vessels his improved engines have been put to the severe tests herein befeee deLcrit.td,—And your petitioner will ever pray," (te " SAMUEL HALL." Mr. HUME presented a petition from the inhabitants of Bathgate, against the Corn Laws, and praying for their re peal. The Hon. Member concurred in the prayer of the pe tition, considering that no evil was so great as the pressure of the Corn Laws. The Hoe. Meunett also presented several petitions from Ross and other places, agemst the negro appronticeahip system. TITHES. Mr. PARROTT gave notice, that he should, on the 15th of March, call the attention of the House to the causes pre venting the voluntary commutation of tithes. The lion. Member also moved for the copies of several Returns with re spect to Tithes. Mr. GROTE presented a petition from !, Parish in Wilt shire, and another from Fife, in favour of Void by 13allot ; also a petition from a congregation in Devonshire, Negro Apprenticeship system. SPANISH LEGION. a oinst the Sir H. HARDINGE seeing the Noble Lord, the Secre tary for th rofeigti pep:tit:lent, in his place, wished to ask him a question. About two mo nths a g o he had asked when the remnant of the legion might be expected home, and he was then told that vessels would bo sent out for that purpose immediately. Ho was now informed that they were et pre sent kept at St. Sebastian in a state of the greatest misery and destitution, many of them being without trowsers—scarcely any of them having shoes, and be was informed upon good au thority that a sergeant had been found dead in consequence of the inclemency of the weather and the want of clothing. He mentioned these things—he was confident that the Noble Lord would take every step in his power to relieve the suffer ings of the pcor men. He had further seen it stated in the public newspapers, that an officer had been sent by the Suanish Grlyeriment, with a sum of money amongst these men—which was to be distributed amongst them for the pur pose of trepanning them to enlist into a new Legion which W7S about to be raised. That was an infamous course of proceeding, to which he was sure the Noble Lord would not be a party. lie trusted that the Noble Lord would bring them over as soon as possible. Lord PALMERSTON said, some time ago it had been stated to the Government that there was a great number who had formed the Legion who were anxious to return ; and accordingly a frigate and a transport were sent out for them, having on board a quantity of clothing, in case any of them should be in a state of destitution. They remained there some dap, but the frigate being wanted for other purposes was ordered away. The transport, however, remained ready to bring home any of those %clic) were anxious and willing to do so—they had not accepted of the offer, and he presumed they did not like to come away until some settlement had been made by the Spanish Government. He was informed by Sir George Villiers that the Spanish Government had sent an officer with a certain sum of money amongst these men, and that it was the intention of the Spanish Government to re-orear.ise a portion of the Legion. Lord John Hey had assured the Admiralty, that he considered himself as hav ing the charge of these men, and that he would see that every one of them had his own perfect free will either to accept or to reject the offers of the officer in question.—( Hear, hear.) lie (Lord P.) had the fullest confidence in Lord John Hay, and whether those men came borne or remained, he was quite certain that the Act would be one of their own spontaneous free will. Sir G. DE LACY EVANS said, the Right lion. Gen tleman opposite had said he had the greatest possible con fidence in Lord John Hay. So had he (Sir G. E.), but the Right Honourable Baronet had not evinced that confidence by the ardent feeling he had displayed in that House. — (Hear.) He knew as well as the Right Honourable Bart. what the character of Lord John Flay was, and a good deal better, for ho had had reason to know him better.—(Great aughter and cheering from the Opposition Benches.) He ad derived his knowledge from the same source as the ight Honourable Baronet.—(Cheers from the Ministerial sts.) It was rather uncourteous for the Right Honourable Baronet to refer to the name of Lord John Hay, :without reflecting it was possible that he ( Sir G. Evans) was in communication with that Noble Lord.—(Cries of " Oh, h," from the Opposition.) The Right lion. Baronet 'had said the Legion were in a state of degradation and starvation, but he asserted there was no such :thing as starvation among them.--( Renewed cries of " Oh.") He would further state, that although these men had a right to demand permission to return to England in consequence of the non-fulfilment of engagements towards them, he:had reason to state on the same authority, they were not in a worse state than the troops were under his own command.—(Great laughter and cheers on the Opposition benches—he should like to know whether the conclusion of the sentence would elicit cheers from Gentlemen on the opposite side—and that those troops were not in a worse condition than the Peninsular army was at different periods.—(Loud cries of " Oh, oh," from the Opposition, and Cheers from the Ministerial side). One word more—he was glad to hear the Right Hon. Baronet haveofr for r it,‘i heardhm u and a i r ti "humanity" yh'ua'vsseeo that supportedw frequently ord hw b e ; hren t t h h e e should Majesty's Govern ment morehave ulnisekeceetdhsse i t n iotwy interfering to avenge foul murders.—( Cheers.) Sir IL:HARDING E-1 shall never, during the exercise of my Parliamentary duty, think it necessary to regulate my con duct by the opinions of the Gallant Officer opposite.—(Loud cheers.) I beg to remind him, and I beg to remind the House, that their late Commander, Brigadier-General O'Connell, has declared in his official order of the day that the conduct of the Spanish Government towards the Legion was most infamous. When the Honourable and Gallant 0 dicer rises to vindicate—l say to vindicate —the treatment of the Spanish Government, and to state that un fortunate individuals are not suffering from want, I assert, not only from information I have received, but also from the public documents of their officers, and more especially of Brigadier General O'Connell, that their treatment has been of the moat infamous description..—( Loud cheering from the Tories.) The SPEAKER said that it was not with his concurrence that any observations had been made, after the Noble Lord, the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, had answered the question put to him ; and he had now only to appeal to Hon. Members themselves, that the conversation should cease.—(Loud cries o f ,' Hear, hear," from the Ministerial benches.) Sir G. D. EVANS arose amidst much cheering and cries of " Order," " Chair." He was understood to say that he bowed to the decision of the chair. Sir A. DA L RYMPL E made some observations which were not heard in the gallery, in consequence of the confusion in the House. Lord J. RUSSELL rose to order. He thought that after the decision of the Speaker, the House ought not to allow the conversation to be carried further.—(Cheers.) SIR G. D. EVANS'S KNIGHTHOOD. An Hon. MEMBER, whose name we could not learn, thought the present a fitting opportunity to ask of the Noble Lord who last addressed the House, whether the appointment of Sir G. De Lacy Evans to the rank of Knight Commander of the Bath had been made in the usual manner —that is, whether it had passed through the War-office, and on the recommendation of the Commander-in- Chief ?—( Vehe ment cheering frora the Tory benches, responded to by the Reformers.) ' Lord I'ALMERSTON said—My answer is, that the ap pointment of the Hon. and Gallant Gentleman alluded to, to be a commander of the Order of the Bath, was made in the usual manner by her Majesty's Government, and that the appointment was made on our own responsibility.—(Great cheering.) The Hon. and Gallant Gentleman is mistaken, in supposing that it is at all necessary, or that it has ever been the invariable practice, that the exercise of the dis cretion of the Government, in recommending to the Crown for the honour of Knight Commander of the Bath, should be used through the authority of the person alluded to. With regard to myself, I think that the honour was well be stowed and well earned.—( Extraordinary cheering.) The same Hon. MIUDER again rose, and made some ob servations (which were not heard) amidst considerable inter ruption. Lord JOHN RUSSELL rose to order. The Hon. Member had put a question, and received an answer, and with that he ought to be satisfied. Sir A. DALRYMPLE said, that as the House had heard the answer, he wished to ask whether Sir G. Evans was one of the ten foreign officers (as we understood) who were en titled to the rank.—(Loud cheers, and cries of " Oh, oh," from the Ministerial benches.) Sir G. D. E VANS, who was for some time interrupted by cheers and counter-cheers, said—As this is made a per sonal question—( Renewed cheers)—l think myself entitled to ask whether the Hon. Member has the authority of the Noble Lord at the head of the Army for making the inquiry ? The Hon. Member (whom we believe to be Mr. B RAD- S!' AW) said—l have Rot—( Loud cheers)—but I speak upon the part of those o fficers of the army who consider themselves unjustly passed over.—( Loud and continued cheering. ) RUSSIA. _ Mr. MACLEAN enquired of the for the Foreign Depart men t, if, subsequently to the correspondence which had been laid on the table relative to the Vixen, other corres pondence had taken place between himself and Mr. Bell, and if he would have any objection to lay it before the House ? Also, whether the Noble Lord had received any account from the authorities at Constanstinople of an outrage alleged to have been committed by a Russian brig of war upon a British inercLantinan in the Dardanelles, by twice firing at her? Lord PALMERSTON said that he should have no objec tion to produce the papers referred to. As to the other transaction, he had received, a few days ago, an ac count stating that two English merchant vessels were lay ing at anchor in the Dardanelles, and that a Russian brig of war, passing up or down, fired at one, to show her colours, which she did, and then fired at the other to show her colours, which she also did. And he (Lord P.) understood it to be the invariable practice at sea, that when a ship of war meets a merchant vessel with no colours up, the ship of war first in vites her to show her colours by allowing her own, and then, in case of a refusal, fires at her. In reply to another question from Mr. MLcLeAN, the Noble Lord said, that he could distinctly state that the shots which were fired were blank. Mr. O'CONNELL. Lord MAIDSTONE rose and said—Seeing the Honour able and Learned Member for Dublin in his place, I wish to ask him whether some sentiments which I see reported to have been used by him in a speech delivered at a dinner which took place at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, in the Strand, on Wednesday, the 21st instant, and which was presided over by Colonel De Lacy Evans, are sub stantially correct? I will read these statements to the House, and I hope the Hon. and Learned Member will do ma the favour of stat i n g w hether they are correct or not. I t ake them from om the _Morning Chronicle—the words are these :—" Corrup tion of the w orst descri p tion existed, and, above all, there was the perjury of the Tory politicians.—(Groans.) Ire land was not safe (cora the English and Scotch gentry. It was horrible to think that a body of gentlemen—men who ranked high in society, who were themselves the adminis trators of the law, and who ought therefore to be above all suspicion, and who ought to set an example to others—was it not horrible that they should be perjuring themselves in the Committees of the flouse of Commons. The time wa s come when this should be proclaimed boldly. lie was ready to be a martyr to justice and truth, but not to f a l se swearing; and, therefore, he repeated that there was foal perjury In the Tory Committees of the House of Com mons. I find another passage in the Morning Po.sf, and which is not in the Chronicle in which the lien. Member declares "he will not mince the matter." When I sir/ these sentiments reported, I said to myself that it would be but fair towards the Hon. and Learned Gentleman to in quire if they were correct ; and if not, to give him an op • portunity of contradicting them.—(llear, hear, hear. ) because I do say that the words themselves contain asper sions upon Members belonging to this House—( Cheers from the Opposition,)—which I for one should wish to see wiped awa y at the earliest opportunity possible.—( Cheers.) Now, Sir, I ask the Learned Member to give a plain answer to the • -*ion I have put to him, for I cannot go on further till that eue6- done.—( Cheers. ) has been ONNELL—Sir, I feel exceedingly obliged Mr. 0 . k., Lord for giving this publication to the to the Noble -. n on the subject of Committees of sen timents I enter.: i this Honse.—(Hear.) Sir, I did say a particular description is . .. e very word of that--(Cheb: a • and cries of " Oh") —every word of that—and Ido repeat ti.,:et I believe it to be perfectly true.—( Loud cries of " 06, oh.") Is there a man that will pu t hii hand to his heart and say, upon his honour test that is sub as a gentleman, that he does not believe t~ use stan tially true.—( No, no.) It is a hideous T T a n d e puilic press has taunted you with it. Tho last tim, f dressed the House on the subject, I read a parag ra p h env .1') the Morning Chronicle --- The SPEAKER—I wish to make a remark as to the regularity of our proceedings. The Honourable and Learned Member havit:g answered the question, I must now appeal to the Noble Lord to know what motion he intends to make.— ( Cheers, and loud cries of " Move.") Lord MAIDSTONE, after some delay, arising from his having to consult with the friends around him, in conse quence of his being unprepared what to course adopt, said--Sir, in consequence of the Learned Member for Dublin having owned that he has said exactly what is sta'ed—ia short, having allowed that my statement is sub,tan tislly true—l give notice of a motion to bring his conduct before the House on Monday next.—(Opposition cheers.) For Ido think that such an aspersion ought not to have been made without proof being adduced. I give notice for next Monday, to bring before the House the conduct of the Learned Member for Dublin.—(Opposition cheers.) Lord J. RUSSELL—Sir, I beg to give notice, that if that motion is entertained, I mean to bring before the considera tion of the House the charge made by the Right Rev. Prolate, the Bi.hop of Exeter, respecting an allegation of perjury against certain Members of this House.—( Vehement and long-continued cheering from the Mini , terial Benches.) Mr. Sergeant JACK SON addressed some observations to the House, which was quite itiaudib!e in the confusion that prevailed. POOR-LA WS—(IRELAND). The Order of the Day for the House going into Committee on the Poor-laws Ireland Bill having been read, Mr. O'CONNELL Legged to remind the Right Hon. Gentleman, the Member for Rippon, of his remark, that all Ireland wanted was peace, and to ask him what social element of discord would be removed if the Bill passed. The House then went into Committee on the Poor-laws (Ireland) Bill, Mr. BERNAL in the Chair. On clause 36 being read, Mr. F. SHAW, as we understood, objected to the clause. After a few words from the ATTORNEY-GENERAL, and Mr. O'CoNeeee, clause 87 wns agreed to. Clauses 38 and 39 were agreed to without amendment. Clause 40 was agreed to with a verbal amendment. On clause 41 being read, which empowered Guardians to grant relief to the poor in wsrkhouses, Mr. LUCAS moved an amendment to the effect, that the relief should be " at the cost of the districts wherein they may have respectively acquired a settlement." The Honourable Member then proceeded to point out the advantages which would result from the amendment he proposed. It would prevent the rates being swallowed up by those who might be casually poor in the district, to the detriment of the poor who really had a right to the relief. He would not ask whether, under the Bill, there would be a right to enquire into the question whether the person applying for relief had or had not relations capable of supporting him. He objected altogether to the fixing of a right of settlement in a particular district. If the law of England was transferred to Ireland, the chance of losses would be diminished one hun dred fold. He wished to know if they proposed to make any inquiry into the character of those wko entered a district to claim relief; whether they had friends elsewhere, or relations capable of supporting them ; or whether they were persons flying from justice ? The litigation in English parishes was lamentable to the paupers and burthensome to the parish ; but the chance of litigation would be much diminished in Ire land by the smallness of the relief granted and the increased site of the Unions. In England 4s. 6d. was the average sum granted per week to a single pauper, while in Ireland it would oily be about Is. 6d. per man ;_ and an Irish Union would ex tend, on an average, over 103 English parishes, so that the evils of litigation would be lessened one-third in this latter respect alone. They had another way of diminishing the ex penses of law suits—bee adopting the arrangements of the Act which established Savings' Banks in Ireland, wherein the duty on stamps in all legal proceedings was remitted, and the expensive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery was got rid of altogether. As to the settleraent by consent or convention he looked upon it as altogether visionary. The Hoe. Gentle man then adverted to the subject of emigration, and quoted from the Reports recomnaeading the system for Ireland a statement of the advantages to be derived by landlords in the clearance of paupers from their estates; but the chief advan tage would altogether fall to the ground if these estates, or the districts containing them, were not protected by the law of settlement. His opinion was that if the Bill was not altered it would not work. Mr. FRENCH opposed the amendment. Sir W. BRA BA ZON opposed the Bill on general grounds, and warned Ministers against attempting to carry suck a mea sure into operation in Ireland, where Ministers at present had a good name, but which they would lose if they followed up this Bill. Sir E. SUG DEN would support the clause as it stood. Mr. O'CONNELL said that without a right of relief a settlement was the idlest thing in the world. At the same time he must own that lie did not know how they could tran quillize Ireland without giving a settlement. He was reluc tantly compelled to vote for the amendment of the Hon. Mem ber for Monaghan. Mr. LITTON supported the amendment. Lord J. RUSSELL wished to introduce a poor-law into Ireland with a positive statement as to settlement.—( Hear, hear.) At the same time he did not say that a settlement might not become necessary at some time or other. Ile doubted, however, if there could be any sort of settlement in troduced which would not give rise to endless litigation. He should, therefore, prefer keeping the clause as it stood. Lord CLEMENT S should support the Bill as it was. lie thought that if they had a law of settlement they should also establish a right to relief, and that both should go together. Mr. WYSE thought it would be much better to leave the discretion in the hands of the Board of Guardians than attempt to introduce a clause of settlement into the present Bill. Sir E. HA YES supported the amendment, because he felt satisfied that a right of relief existed under the Bill. He could see no fair chance of the working of the Bill, unless it were accompanied by a law of settlement. Mr. BARRON could not agree to the amendment before the House. Mr. Sergeant JACKSON thought the clause before the House one of the most important in the Bill. His Hon. Friend the Member for Donegal had stated that a right of relief would exist under the Bill. He (Mr. Jackson) had looked to the clause, and he found no right to relief. Un doubtedly there ought to be a right to relief from the soil or land of any country to every person incapable of supporting himself. He thought the aged, the infant, and the impotent were entitled to relief in cases of destitution, and that every principle of religion, and morality, and sound policy dictated that such relief ought to be granted.—( Hear.) It appeared to him that a law of settlement was absolutely necessary to make the Bill work. Mr. WALKER would oppose the amendment, and hoped that the Government would adhere to the principle of the measure. After a few words from Mr. W. ROCHE, Mr. SHAW thought the safer course would be to dispense with the law of settlement rather than to adopt it. He did not see how an inundation of labourers to a district where there was a market for labour would be prevented by a law of settlement. Such a law would not give the power of pre venting the transit of labourers from one district to another. Under these circumstances, feeling as he said before that the question was one of great difficulty, he thought the better way would be to dispense with the law of settlement. Strangers were then ordered to withdraw. On returning to the gallery we found the numbers to be— For the clause lO3 For the amendment Majority Mr. S. O'BRIEN must take the sense of the House upon an amendment which he intended to propose by way of pro viso to the 41st clause. The calculations of the amount of pauperism in Ireland contained in Mr. Nicholl's report had been completely disproved by the Honourable and Learned Member for Dublin : but, no matter whether the number of paupers was 80,000 or 500,000, in his opinion the workhouse was the most expensive as well as inefficient mode of relief. In opposing it he had the support of large bodies of his countrymen—he would instance the late meeting convened by the Lord Mayor in Dublin. He had also a letter from Belfast, stating that a petition would be sent from that place, signed by 10,000 persons, in favour of out-door relief. The only view in which he could favourably behold th c Bill was, that be was sure it would work out its own enlargement. Still, wkat ever the fate of the amendment, he would, though he were to stand alone, take the sense of the house upon it, satisfied that in doing so he did but his duty. Lord MO R PET H opposed the amendment. Mr. W. ROCHE differed, with reluctance, from his Hoe. Friend the Member for the county of Limerick. Sir R. BATE SON regretted that the support to be given under this Bill was not limited to the really destitute, and confined to them alone. He was entirely opposed to the workhouse system, as, in his opinion, it was one, which would never do in Ireland. He would, on every occasion, oppose that system, as well as the principle of affording subsistence to the able-bodied. In his opinion, the very best measure of poor relief in Ireland was the plan proposed in 1830 for enabling each parish to rate itself for their support. After a few words from Lord MORPITII and Mr. 0' CONNELI') Mr. SHAW was opposed to the amendment. Mr. Sergeant JACKSON did not wish to have it go abroad that the workhouse system was one of oppression, as the lion. and Learned Gentleman the Member fur Dublin would have it understood. lie had that day received a letter from the Governor of the House of Industry in Dublin, stating that the most painful duty which he had to perform was the refusal of the numerous applicants for admisssion. Mr. D. CALLAGHAN was satisfied that the workhouse system would be totally inapplicable to Ireland. He, for his own part, desired to see the law of settlement extended to that country. Ile should wish to have relief compulsory, and he was also in favour of out-door relief. Without these he was sure that any Poor Law Bill would, by the bulk of the people, be considered unsatisfactory. Mr. BARRON agreed with the lion. and Learned Mem ber for Bandon that the workhouse system was not hostile to the habits and feelings of the people of Ireland. Mr. P. SC ROPE would support the amendment. Sir T. ACL AND bore testimony to the manner (as we understood) in which the Cork House of Industry was con ducted. After some further conversation between Lord Clements, Sir Edward Sugden, Mr. O'Connell, and Mr. Callaghan, the Committee divided, when there appeared— For the clause 99 For the amendment Majority On clause 42 being proposed, which service provides for religious in workhous es , Lord CLEMENTS proposed that the Commissioners should not have the appointment of the chaplains, but that it should be lodged in the local ecclesiastical authorities of Le respective religious persuasions. .• Mr. O'CONNELL and Mr. S. O'BRIEN supported the amendment. Mr. Sergeant JACKSON suggested that the clause should be orui:ted eltctrethcr, and that the inmates of the work. le , uses should be free to worship wherever they chose on the Sabbath. Mr. O'CONNELL was opposed to the adoption of this suggestion. Lord J. RUSSELL saw considerable difficulty in the clause, but not such as tto induce him to accede to the sugges tion of tl e Honourable and Learned Member. He thought that the better way would be to postpone it until it should re ceive further consideration. After a few observations from Mr. O'Connell, Mr. Shaw, end Lord Morpeth, the clause was postponed. Clause 43—" No inmate of workhouses obliged to attend religious services contrary to his principles." After a word or two from Mr. Wyse, Lord Morpeth, and Mr. Goulburn, the clause was agreed to. Clause 44 was likewise ordered to stand la t o 7 the Bill. Clause 45—Repeal of existing Acts atter workhouses erected. Sir E. SUG DEN said that as the Noble Lord had agreed to strike out clause 46, and as the clause had a close connec tion with it in parts, some amendments were necessary to make it coherent with the principle of the Bill. Lo.d J. CU 3SELL was understord act to object to the first amendments, but he should just pospone the clause for further consideration. After a few words from Mr. SEIAW and Mr. O'BRIEN, the clause was postponed. Clause 46 was struck out of the Bill. The Chairman then reported progress, and the House re sumed. Colonel SIBTHORP, in reference to some Bills which stood on the paper for second reading, observed that it seemed to him as if the Government wished to take the country by surprise in proposing them for that stage. Would it be be lieved that though they were fixed for the second reading that night, they had not yet been printed ? Lord J. RUS SE LL said that his object was not to move that the Bills be read a second time, but that they be post poned. —(A laugh.) Colonel SIBTH 0R P wished that that had been the general line of conduct of the Noble Lord.--( A laugh.) Mr. P. THOMSON moved that the following Homburg be nominated for the Combination Committee t--The Lord Advocate, Lord Granville Somerset, Mr. O'Connell, Lord Viscount Lowther, Mr. Charles Villiers, Mr. Hume, Sir Henry Parnell, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Milnes, Mr. Hindley, Mr. Pringle, Mr. Wakley, Mr. Ward, Mr. Young (of Ca van), Mr. Poulett Thompson. General JOHNSON moved that the order made on the 22d of November last, for returns under the Poor-law Amend ment Act (No. 4) be mad© forthwith. The House then adjourned, at Twelve o'clock. - - MEETING OF MIDDLESEX MAGIS- TRATES. There was a very numerous assemblage of the magistrates Thursday ; and Mr. Sergeant ADAMS was unanimously re elected chairman. PINSBURT RECoTERY 0? SMALL DEBTS BILL. Upon the New Prison reports a discussion ensued respecting the right of committing debtors from the Finsbury Summons ing Court to that gaol. Mr. WITHAM said the objections to the Bill for the Reco very of Small Debts in Finsbury were, that according to some of the clauses, the Commissioners had power to send persons committing coatempt of Court, witnesses refusing to attend , or refusing to be examined, and debtors to the New Prison. If the proposed Bill was agreed to it would throw the expense of lodging thcso persons on the county at large. After some discussion it was proposed, that a petition to the House of Commons, and a memorial to the Secretary of State, should he presented against the Bill, and that the Member for the county be requested to support the prayer thereof. Captain Woos, M. P., thought the Bill objectionable, and that tho Government would oppose it, the more especially as Lord John Russell had a Ministerial plan on the subject. The petition to the House of Commons, and the memorial against the pending Bel, were agreed to. TUE INTENDED METROPOLITAN IMPROVEMENTS. Sir J. S. Limes called the attention to the proposed new street or road from Oxford-street to the Sessions-house, and from thence to the eastern part of the town. Several gentle men who had been examined before the Committee were in attendance to present their plans, and he should therefore move that they be called in. At the suggestion of Mr. Sergeant ADAMS, it was agreed that the plans and all otter matters connected with the " provements," should be referred to a Committee. It was also carried that Sir J. S. Lillie, Mr. Pownall, and Mr. M`William he added to the Committee. TIE SEPARATS AND SILENT SYSTEMS 01 FAISON DISCIPLINE . Mr. HOARE moved— " That the ,special report of the visiting justices of ems House of Correction as to the separation and silent ertn!: of prison discipline be taken into consideration; and that be referred to the Visiting Justices to make a report oli°° the circumstances pointed out by the Governor in the pendix to the Report, which obstruct the operation of the pr sent system of management, and give eccasion to some of the objections that aro urged against the system." The Hon. Magistrate, in support of his motion, read long el tracts from the Parliamentary Reports, and those of the Visit.- ' ing Justices, and Captain Chesterton. Mr. PAINTER followed in a very lengthy written address to the Court, in which he detailed various statistics in rela tion to the American and Continental systems, as contrasted with the English Prison discipline. Mr. LAURIE said, that the Hon. Magistrate who had last spoken referred to the Prison discipline in England and Ame rica. The difference between the two countries in that parti cular was as light to darkness. Were the Magistrates of this country to seek for humane rules and regulations in America ? Let the Gentlemen he was addressing look to facts. h.° Glasgow gaol system of separate confinement more closely approached the American than any other in this kingd° a m t ed let them look at the result. Mr. Hiil, in his Report, St that in London, under the silent system, the deaths W ere 3e per cent ; in Glasgow, under the separate, 50 per cent. (Hear, hear.) The Learned Magistrate proceeded to shove l . the evils of the separate system, and instanced th e eases ° John Welsh, aged 18, and William Ray, aged 25, in lelaryle bone workhouse, who had been reduced to idiotcy. 113° mind of Welsh was rather of an intellectual character here tofore. Both were of bad habits, and, having escaped out of the workhouse, committed a burglary, for which °fe n " they were convicted and sentenced to twelve months it'" prisonment in the Penitentiary, in " separate" confincntent: When they went in they were in full possession of their senses; when discharged they were confirmed irremediable idiots.—( Hear.) He had seen one of them and any Mag i r s " trate might visit the place in which they were c onfined• another case, a woman named Newman, aged about 23, w ho had been tried in that Court, and who had been sentenced to the Penitentiary, was removed to Bethlehem Hospital, having gone mad under the separate system. What, then, could be expected from such an absurd system ?—( Hear.) But worn remained to be told—children of tender age had been sole tensed to separate confinement, one ei years only. She has' been placed in a solitary cell. He would appeal to the Chair man as to the truth of the statement. The CilAihmAN said it was quite true, and that , under the prison orders, they must remain for the long term of their sentence two years it was understood) in the same state They, however, were taught needle-work, and allowed hi." n hour each day for exercise. When questione d, it was dent they knew little or nothing of conversation. Mr. LAURIE hoped the Secretary of State woul d be ills formed on the subject, and that such a blot upon the country would be wiped off. 7 he Ciesieseee remarked that the Magistrates had no con- trol over the discipline at tho Penitentiar - y. Mr. LAURIE—No ; it was under the control of the Govern- meat inspectors.—( Hear.) Mr. Toot said, that as to the woman, it was known she had feigned madness; but it being believed she was insane, she was rem wed to Bethlehem Hospital. As to the infant seven and a half years old only, he must express the strongest repre hens"on of her imprisonment. She was a mere child, of veil infantile appearance, and when asked in her solitary cell what she wished for, she replied, " I should like to have a d oll." Could such a child know anything of crime or punishrue"t , (Loud cries of " Hear, hear.") When the matron occasion: ally visited the three children in their separate cells , s he foto° the little creatures each endeavouring to amuse itself by mak ing a doll of the clothing in tke cell. The child seven and $ half years of age kad been found guilty of stealing so u l trifling articles, and her mother of receiving them ; a nd a In°s extraordinary sentence had been passed. The child was 6en teneed to seven years' transportation, and tke mother to sot months' imprisonment.—( Loud cries of " Hear.") The CHAIRMAN—Not in the Court. of th e : l Mr. TuLe—No. On account of the tender ag e former she was sent to the Penitentiary, as had be en state fie thought the Government Inspectors' plan would be In jurious. The motion of Mr. Hoare having been agreed to, Mr. 'nee moved— " That the Court do take into consideration a plan tofhhe adopted in the House of Correct,'.on in Coldbath-fields , shall combine the advantages of the separate and silent aYs; terns, without any important alterations in the construction 0' the prison." o sition The lion. Magistrate then went into a very long t° cap of his views, and proposed plans which it is unneces sar y n at ter state as in the end it was carried that the whole matter. should be referred to a Committee to report upon at the next County Court. M r. BROUGTON wished to ask Mr. Hoare , whose k! ledge in such matters was very great, if that, when he allud now ed to the silent system i n America, he had said, that p risonela sentenced to the separate system were not allowed t o pass th threshold of the cell ? Mr. lioArts—Yes. If for thirteen years, they a re not al lowed to pass the threshold. the The CHAI R MAN knew from a conference with one of Government prison inspectors, that, in their plane wh en a , prisoner enter e d a cell, he should never leave it, whatever might be the term of imprisonment, without a surgeon CO sidered it n e cessary for his health—(Cries of " Shame I 1 and that he should not hear the sound of human voice.--( n" dignant cries of " Shame I") Mr. GIBSON confirmed Mr. Hoare as to the American system, adding, that in that country if a prisoner was cone fined for life, he would never be allowed to pass the threshold of his cell. COMMUNICATION FROM TIER MAIESTI'S GOVERNMENT. The CHAIRMAN had communicated with the Secretary of State for the Home Department, and Lord John Ru ssell had expressed an opinion that the Penitentiary-was not a fit place